Thousands of Travellers Suffer in Canada as WestJet, Air Canada, Inuit, Jazz and More Airlines Face 216 Cancellations and Delays Impacting Calgary, Toronto, Edmonton, Montreal, Yellowknife and Others

Written By: Indranil Mukherjee

Indranil Mukherjee

I am an SEO content writer with over two years of experience in digital publishing. I hold a Master's degree in English, and since completing my studies, I have been working with Travel And Tour World. I am passionate about creating engaging, well-researched content that informs and connects with readers. I have a keen interest in exploring the social and economic forces that shape the world, with a particular focus on literature, travel, and global developments. Through my work, I strive to deliver insightful, accurate, and SEO-friendly content that helps readers stay informed about the latest trends and stories from the travel industry.

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February 18, 2026 12:54 AM

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Thousands of travellers are facing significant disruptions across Canada today as WestJet, Air Canada, Inuit, Jazz, and several other airlines struggle to manage 216 cancellations and delays. The ongoing winter storm, which has severely impacted regions from Calgary to Toronto, Edmonton, Montreal, Yellowknife, and beyond, has left thousands stranded. With snow, strong winds, and poor visibility, airports are experiencing operational chaos, causing both flight delays and cancellations. The storm’s powerful effects are not only making air travel difficult but are also disrupting ground transportation and local services. Passengers are urged to check with their airlines regularly for the latest updates.

As the storm continues throughout the day, Canada’s major airports, including those in Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal, are expected to remain heavily impacted. Travelers are advised to exercise patience and prepare for longer-than-usual waits. On Tuesday, 17th February 2026, winter weather brought significant disruption to Canadian airports and air travel across the country. With snow, strong winds, and poor visibility, many flights were delayed or canceled throughout the day. The overall impact on Canada’s aviation sector included 326 delays and 216 cancellations, affecting passengers across multiple major cities and airports.

Key Affected Airports and Cities

The winter storm primarily affected airports in central and western Canada, with some of the most severe disruptions observed in major cities such as Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, and Montreal.

• Toronto Pearson International, one of the busiest airports in Canada, reported 99 delays and 23 cancellations. The storm, which brought hazardous conditions to Ontario, impacted flights coming into and out of the airport, contributing to significant operational delays.
• Vancouver International also experienced 48 delays and 20 cancellations, as the storm’s effects reached western Canada, causing poor visibility and challenging flight conditions.
• Calgary International saw the most severe impact with 45 delays and 77 cancellations, as snow accumulation and high winds led to hazardous flying conditions. This airport was at the epicenter of the storm, as it directly faced the brunt of the weather system.
• Montreal-Trudeau International was another heavily affected airport, with 32 delays and 15 cancellations due to the snowstorm moving eastward.

Other notable airports across Canada, such as Edmonton International, Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier, Quebec Jean Lesage, and Halifax International, also reported delays and cancellations due to the widespread adverse weather conditions.

Analysis of Airlines Affected by the Storm

Canadian airlines faced challenges as the severe weather impacted their flight schedules, particularly the major carriers WestJet and Air Canada.

• WestJet reported 67 cancellations and 51 delays, making it the airline most affected by the winter weather. As a major carrier in Canada, WestJet saw significant operational delays and had to adjust its schedule to accommodate weather-related disruptions.
• WestJet Encore, a regional arm of WestJet, had 38 cancellations and 15 delays, further affecting flights to smaller destinations across the country.
• Air Canada, Canada’s flagship airline, faced 12 cancellations and 64 delays, indicating significant disruption to both domestic and international routes.

Other airlines, including Jazz (ACA), PAL Airlines, Pacific Coastal Airlines, Porter Airlines, and Air Inuit, were also impacted, though on a smaller scale. Regional carriers like Jazz and PAL Airlines saw 16 cancellations and 29 delays, and 7 cancellations and 20 delays, respectively.

What Affected Passengers Can Do Now

If you are one of the affected passengers facing delays or cancellations, there are steps you can take to mitigate the disruption:

1. Check Flight Status Regularly: The weather situation is still evolving, and flight statuses can change quickly. Keep an eye on updates via your airline’s app, website, or customer service.
2. Contact Your Airline: If your flight is delayed or canceled, contact your airline to explore rebooking options or to receive a refund. Many airlines offer compensation for major delays or cancellations, especially if they were weather-related.
3. Explore Alternative Flights: If your travel is essential, explore flights with other airlines or consider alternative airports that might be less affected by the storm. For instance, Vancouver may offer more available flights to the same destinations as Toronto Pearson, which is experiencing more cancellations.
4. Prepare for Long Waits: With the volume of delays, airport terminals are likely to be crowded, and passengers should expect long waiting times. Bring snacks, entertainment, and any necessary supplies to make your wait more comfortable.
5. Monitor Weather Conditions: Stay updated on the latest weather forecasts and Environment Canada warnings, particularly in relation to the snowstorm and other adverse conditions that may continue to affect travel.
6. Know Your Rights: Under Canadian Air Passenger Protection Regulations, you may be entitled to compensation if your flight is significantly delayed. Understand your rights and reach out to the airline to ensure that you are compensated as necessary.

Conclusion

The winter storm that hit much of Canada on 17th February caused widespread disruption across airports and airlines, with 326 delays and 216 cancellations reported. Major airports in Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, and Montreal were the hardest hit, with WestJet and Air Canada facing the highest number of flight issues. Passengers are advised to stay informed, reach out to their airlines, and explore their options while waiting for conditions to improve. With the weather conditions expected to clear in the evening, air travel is likely to gradually return to normal. However, travelers should remain vigilant and proactive to minimize the impact of these disruptions on their journeys.

Source: FlightAware